Agbonlahor on verge of Villa record

The speedy striker remained one behind the record thanks to Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina's reflex first-half save at Villa Park on Sunday but is in a run of form that encourages Paul Lambert to think more goals will soon follow.

"He is playing really well at the moment," the manager said. "He has been excellent. He is loving his football and has scored quite regularly.

"Goals were the one thing lacking in his game and it had been some time since his last goal up to the one at West Brom (in mid-January).

"He was bringing genuine pace and threat but has added goals - and that's why he's enjoying it. Pace is a huge asset but you have to have something else to go with it and the goals are a major thing for him and the club. His pace is electrifying."

The 26-year-old Brummie has 59 Premier League goals to his name for his only club, including four in his last nine senior appearances.

His figure - eight in league and cup football this season - leaves him one behind former club hero Dwight Yorke with seven matches remaining in 2012-13.

"I think I will need to start taking penalties," joked Agbonlahor when told about the impending milestone.

"It would be nice to break the record but the only thing on my mind is keeping the club up. If the record comes, it comes.

"As an attacking player, you feel you are doing your part by scoring. But we have other players who can score goals, like Christian Benteke and Andi Weimann, and that has been a help. As long as I'm getting a few, I'm happy."

Villa's longest-serving current player gets his next chance when Lambert's side face fellow strugglers Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.